Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
2010, 5 (1): 1-12
Improvement of solubility and dissolution properties of ketoconazole by solid dispersions and inclusion complexes Gehan Balata*, Mahmoud Mahdi, Rania Abu Bakera Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt Received 19 June 2009; Revised 26 November 2009; Accepted 24 December 2009 __________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to prepare inclusion complexes and solid dispersions of ketoconazole to improve its dissolution rate and hence its antifungal properties for the effective therapy of candidaiasis. Methods: The solvent evaporation method was used to prepare ketoconazole inclusion complexes in -cyclodextrin with different molar ratios of drug to carrier (1: 1, 1: 2.5 and 1: 5). In addition, solid dispersions of ketoconazole in polyvinylpyrrolidone k-17 with different weight ratios of drug to carrier (1: 1, 1: 5 and 1: 10) were prepared. Moreover, the effect of the molecular weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone was also investigated. A phase solubility method was used to evaluate the effect of the tested carriers on the aqueous solubility of ketoconazole. The dissolution of all the preparations was tested using the USP paddle method. The interaction of ketoconazole with the carriers was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The selected ketoconazole inclusion complex or ketoconazole solid dispersion was incorporated in different topical bases by trituration and compared with the pure drug and the commercial ketoconazole cream for in-vitro drug release and antifungal activity. Results: According to the results of this investigation, the solubility and dissolution rates of ketoconazole were significantly increased by solid dispersions and cyclodextrin complexes as well as their physical mixtures. However, the dissolution enhancement of ketoconazole was dependent on the carriers used and the nature of presentation of ketoconazole in the carriers (physical mixture/solid dispersion/molecular inclusion). The ketoconazole-beta cyclodextrin inclusion complex at 1: 5 molar ratio showed the highest dissolution of all the preparations (DE% = 71.1 1.9). The results from DSC and XRPD indicated the presence of ketoconazole in an amorphous form in both the inclusion complex and solid dispersion, accounting for the occurrence of a strong interaction between ketoconazole and beta cyclodextrin/or polyvinylpyrrolidone in the solid state. Improved drug release was found with topical formulations containing ketoconazole in the form of a solid dispersion or inclusion complex. However, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose gel base showed maximum drug release compared with the other topical bases. The antifungal data agreed with the in vitro results and proved the superiority of the prepared vaginal gel (ketoconazole/-cyclodextrin complex in hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose gel) to the commercial ketoconazole cream. Conclusion: An increased solubility and dissolution rate of ketoconazole can be achieved by complexation with beta cyclodextrin and solid dispersion formation with polyvinylpyrrolidone k-17. Keywords: Ketoconazole; -cyclodextrin; Polyvinylpyrrolidone; Topical activity; Antifungal activity __________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ 1. Introduction It has been estimated that 75% of all women experience vaginal candidiasis once in their life time, with up to 5% suffering from recurrent vaginal candidiasis [1]. From such a perspective, topical treatment of Candida vaginitis could be a rational choice for management of localized infection. For effective therapy, intravaginally delivered drugs should achieve high concentration at the site of infection. Therefore, an increase in the solubility and rapid release of ketoconazole is essential for such preparations. It has been reported that poor water solubility and "wettability" of the drug can cause problems with drug release and bioavailability in various pharmaceutical forms [2]. There have been numerous efforts to improve the dissolution rate of drugs. These include, reducing the particle size, formation of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins, solubilization in surfactant systems, using pro-drugs and drug derivatization and formation of solid dispersions [3]. The formulation of solid dispersions __________ *Corresponding author. Address: Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. Tel: +20-55-2303266; Fax: +20-55-2303266 E-mail: mmdh_zaghloul@yahoo.com Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 is one of the most popular ones [4-7], although few marketed products rely on this concept. Historically, water-soluble carriers such as high molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidones (PVP) have been the most common carriers used for solid dispersions (SDs). For solid dispersions, PVP k-12 to k-30 (Mw 250050,000) have been widely used [8]. Mechanisms suggested to be responsible for the improved aqueous solubility/ dissolution properties of solid dispersions include reduction of the particle size of the incorporated drug, partial transformation of the crystalline drug to the amorphous state, formation of solid solutions, formation of complexes, reduction of aggregation and agglomeration, improved wetting of the drug and solubilization of the drug by the carrier at the diffusion layer [9-11]. It is generally accepted, that often more than one of these phenomena determine the rate and extent of dissolution. It has been shown that the methods for the preparation of solid dispersions are simple and less expensive than other techniques [12-16]. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides which can form inclusion complexes with large organic molecules thus improving their dissolution rate. The most common are the -, -, and -cyclodextrins [17]. In the literature, some information is available on the enhancement of drug release from different topical bases using solid dispersion and inclusion complex techniques [18-20]. Ketoconazole (KET), an azole antifungal agent, is used to relieve the external symptoms (candidal vulvitis) of vaginal thrush (candidal vaginitis) but it has a poor aqueous solubility making it difficult to dissolve in water [21]. Previous studies have been carried out on KET and -cyclodextrin or its derivatives in solution and the solid phase [22-25]. Continuing that research, here we report the effect of polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers on ketoconazole solubility compared with -cyclodextrin. Moreover, the influence of a solid dispersion and an inclusion complex preparation on the in vitro drug release from different topical bases and its antifungal activity was investigated. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Materials Ketoconazole (KET), polyvinyl pyrrolidone k-17 (PVP k-17), (PVP k-25) and (PVP k-30) were obtained as gifts from Memphis Co. (Cairo, Egypt). - Cyclodextrin (- CD) (Mw 1135), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (50 cp) and sabouraud's dextrose agar were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St Louis, MO, USA). Methanol, ethanol, white petrolatum, liquid paraffin, bees wax, olive oil, borax, stearic acid, cirtic acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and sodium lauryl sulphate were purchased from El-Gomhoria Co. (Cairo, Egypt). A semipermeable cellophane membrane 30/32 was supplied by (Fischer Scientific Co., London, England). 2.2. Phase solubility studies Solubility studies were performed according to the method described by Higuchi and Connors [26]. An excess of drug (10 mg) was added to 10 ml water or aqueous carrier solutions of different concentrations (01.8% for -CD or 1%20% for PVP polymers) in 25-ml stopper conical flasks and shaken at 25C in a thermostatically controlled water bath (Julabo SW 20C, Osaka, Japan). At equilibrium after 4 d (for -CD) or 2 d (for PVP polymers), aliquots were withdrawn, filtered (0.22 m pore size, Whatman UK), suitably diluted with methanol and the drug content spectrophotometrically assayed at 260 nm (Shimadzu UV-160A Spectrophotometer, Shimadzu, Japan). Each experiment was carried out in triplicate. The apparent 1: 1 stability constant was calculated from the solubility data using the following formula: Where S0 is the intrinsic solubility of ketoconazole. 2.3. Preparation of solid inclusion complexes Solid inclusion complexes of KET and -CD were prepared by the co-evaporation method in the following Slope S0 (1Slope) K ____________ 1:1 = Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 molar ratios, 1: 1, 1: 2.5 and 1: 5 [27]. KET and -CD were dissolved at 40C in the lowest volume of 50% ethanol (which is necessary to obtain solution) and stirred for 30 min. Then, the solvent was evaporated in a vacuum oven at 50C until complete drying was obtained as shown by constant weight. 2.4. Preparation of solid dispersions KET in SDs with PVP K-17 in different weight ratios (1: 1, 1: 5, 1: 10, w/w) were separately obtained by the conventional solvent evaporation method [28]. KET and PVP K-17 were dissolved in a minimum volume of methanol and the solvent was removed under vacuum in a rotavapor at 65C and 80 r/min. The resultant solid dispersion was pulverized using a mortar and pestle, passed through a 250-m sieve (mesh size 60), kept in vacuum-desiccator at 40C for 24 h, and then stored in a desiccator at room temperature. To study the effect of the PVP molecular weight, SDs with PVP k-25 and PVP k-30 were prepared as described above at the weight ratio that produced the best dissolution results. 2.5. Preparation of physical mixtures Physical mixtures of KET (< 250 m) were prepared by mixing the appropriate amounts of KET and -CD or PVP k-17 in geometric proportions using a mortar and pestle, until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. The physical mixtures were subsequently stored at room temperature in screw capped glass vials until use. 2.6. Evaluation of drug content About 20 mg of each of the prepared products (cyclodextrin complexes, solid dispersions or their physical mixtures) was placed in a 25-ml volumetric flask. Methanol (10 ml) was added, mixed thoroughly and sonicated for 30 min. The volume was made up to the mark with methanol and then passed through Whatman filter paper No. 41. The solution was suitably diluted with the same solvent and the drug content spectrophotometrically assayed at 260 nm [29]. The percentage drug content was calculated for all batches using the equation: Where KETact is the actual KET content in 20 mg product and KETtheor is the theoretical amount of KET in 20 mg product. 2.7. Dissolution studies Dissolution studies were performed in triplicate with a Pharma Test dissolution tester (Pharma Test SP6-400, Hamburg, Germany) in distilled water (500 ml) at 37 0.2C, using a paddle rotating at 100 r/min. The drug and solid products, each containing 20 mg drug, were subjected to dissolution testing. At fixed time, samples (5 ml) were withdrawn and filtered (Whatman filter paper No. 41), diluted with methanol and the drug content was spectrophotometrically assayed at 260 nm. The initial volume was maintained by adding 5 ml of fresh dissolution medium. The dissolution efficiency (DE) was calculated from the area under the dissolution curve at time t (measured using the trapezoidal rule) and expressed as a percentage of the area of the rectangle described by 100% dissolution over the same time [30]. 2.8. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) DSC analysis was performed using a Model DT-60 DSC (Shimadzu). Samples weighing 1.5 mg were heated in hermetically sealed aluminum pans over a temperature range of 30C200C at a constant rate of 10C/min under a nitrogen steam. 2.9. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) X-ray powder diffraction patterns were recorded on a Siemens Kristallofex D-5000 powder diffractometer with CuK radiation. The scanning rate employed was 8/min over a 2 range of 080. Drug content% = KETact KETtheor ________ 100 Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 2.10. Preparation of topical vehicles All topical bases were formulated to contain 2% KET or its equivalent in a 1: 5 molar ratio (-CD complex) or 1: 1 weight ratio (PVP k-17 solid dispersion). Table 1 shows the formulae of the different topical bases prepared. Base 1 was prepared by levigating the drug alone or its solid product with liquid paraffin then the melted petrolatum was added and the mixture was stirred until it congealed. Bases 2,3 were prepared by melting the oily phase in a water bath at 70C, then the aqueous phase (previously heated to 70C) was added and the mixture was removed from water bath and stirred until it congealed. Finally, KET or its solid products were added by trituration. Also, 2% (w/w) hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) gel base was prepared by dispersing the required amount of HPMC in Srensen's citrate buffer pH 4.5. The dispersion was mixed using a magnetic stirrer until a clear transparent gel free of air bubbles was obtained. The resultant gel mass was left overnight to allow complete swelling, then KET or its solid products were added by trituration. HPMC was specially selected as a gel base due to its excellent mucoadhesive properties [31, 32]. 2.11. In-vitro drug release A 2.5 g sample of each formulation was accurately weighed and placed on a semipermeable cellophane membrane (previously immersed in distilled water for 20 h) to occupy a circle 2.9 cm in diameter. The loaded membrane was stretched over the lower open end of a glass tube 2.9 cm in diameter and made water tight using a rubber band. The tube was then immersed in a beaker containing 150 ml Srensen's citrate buffer, pH 4.5. Sodium lauryl sulphate 1% (w/w) was added to the medium to ensure sink conditions. The system was maintained for 6 h at 37C in a thermostatic shaking water bath at 100 r/min. Samples (2 ml) were withdrawn at intervals of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 5 and 6 h, the volume of each sample was replaced by the same volume of fresh medium to maintain a constant volume, and the KET content of the samples was determined spectrophotometrically at max = 260 nm. 2.12. Microbiological studies The anti-candidal activity of the drug in an HPMC gel base (chosen as the best) containing KET alone, IC with -CD (1: 5, molar ratio) or SD with PVP k-17 (1: 1, w/w) compared with commerecial ketoconazole cream was determined using Candida albicans [35]. The suspension of Candida albicans was streaked evenly on triple plates of Sabouraud dextrose agar. Agar cups were cut from the seeded agar medium using a sterile cork borer. These cups were filled with 100 mg of different formula prepared with 2% drug and also without drug. Moreover, 100 mg of commercial ketoconazole cream (2% KET) was used for comparison. Plates were then incubated at 37C for about 3 d and the diameters of the inhibition zones were measured and the inhibition dis-tance calculated. The bases without KET were used as controls. 1-Oleaginous base [33] Liquid paraffin 5% , white petrolatum 95% 2-Emulsion base (W/O)* Bees wax 12%, olive oil 12.5%, white petrolatum 56%, borax 0.5%, water 19% 3-Hydrophilic ointment (O/W) [33] Sodium lauryl sulphate 1%, propylene glycol 12%, stearyl alcohol 25%, white petrolatum 25%, water 37% 4-Gel base [32] 2% Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), 98% water 5-Commercial ketoconazole cream 2% [34] An aqueous cream vehicle consisting of propylene glycol, purified water, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, and sodium sulfite, anhydrous Table 1 Components of different topical bases. *The water-in-oil vehicle was an extemporaneous preparation. Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 3. Results and discussion 3.1. Influence of cyclodextrin on the solubility of ketoconazole The solubility of ketoconazole in water at 25C was found to be 13.3 g/ml (0.025 mM), which is in good agreement with the reported value by Connors and Elder [36], who found that the aqueous solubility of KET at 25C is 17 g/ml. The solubility of KET was markedly affected by the presence of -CD. The solubility of KET in 1.6% -CD aqueous solution was 1627.9 g/ml (3.06 mM) representing a 122-fold increase in solubility compared with pure drug. The obtained phase solubility diagram was linear with positive deviation from linearity at higher -CD concentrations (Fig. 1) and could be classified as AM type according to Higuchi and Connors [26]. The stability constant value obtained for the KET-CD complex was 268.9 M-1, which indicated that the KET- -cyclodextrin complex at a 1: 1 molar ratio is suitably, stable [26]. 3.2. Influence of PVP molecular weight on the solubility of ketoconazole The effect of the PVP molecular weight on the solubility of KET is shown in Fig. 2 and the data were evaluated statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).The increase in solubility was linear with respect to the carrier concentration suggesting the features of an AL type solubility phase diagram [26]. Although a statistically insignificant difference (P > 0.05) was obtained, PVP k-17 had a higher solubility than the other PVPs. Collett and Kesteven [37] have reported that the lower the molecular weight of PVP, the greater is the increase in solubility of allopurinol. At 20% PVP k-17 the increase in solubility at 25C was 172.5-fold compared with that of the pure drug. The increase in solubility in the presence of different forms of PVP can probably be explained by the increased wettability of KET. Indeed, PVP polymers cause a reduction in the interfacial tension between the drug and the dissolving solution [38]. Moreover, it was suggested that PVP polymers might form soluble complexes with KET [13, 39]. The stability constant of KET with PVP k-17, PVP k-25 and PVP k-30 was found to be 141, 179 and 191 M-1, respectively, indicating that the ketoconazole and the carrier dispersions are sufficiently stable. In fact, the values of the obtained stability constants were always within the range 1001000 M-1, which is believed to be ideal. Actually, smaller values of the stability constant indicate too weak an interaction between drug and carrier, while higher values are symptomatic of an incomplete drug release from the complex [40]. So the values we obtained are considered ideal and are expected to be stable. 0 400 800 1200 1600 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 Concentration of -CD (%) Solubility (g/ml) Solubility (g/ml) 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Concentration of PVP (%) PVP k-17 PVP k-25 PVP k-30 Fig. 2. Phase solubility diagram of KET in the presence of PVP of different molecular weights in distilled water at 25C. Fig. 1. Phase solubility diagram of KET in the presence of -CD in distilled water at 25C. Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 3.3. Evaluation of drug content The percentage KET in the samples ranged from 98.2 0.2 to 100.2 0.1 (n = 3). This indicated that KET was uniformly distributed in all the samples. 3.4. Dissolution studies The in vitro dissolution profiles of the drug, PMs and inclusion complexes or SDs are shown in Fig. 3Fig. 5. The extent of dissolution after 30 and 120 min and the dissolution efficiency after 120 min are presented in Table 2 and Table 3. It was evident that the dissolution rate of pure KET was slow, less than 16% of the drug being dissolved within 120 min. This is could be ascribed to poor wettability and /or agglomeration or particle size [41]. Compared with that of pure KET, the dissolution rate of KET from its physical mixtures appeared faster. 3.4.1. Influence of cyclodextrin complex formation on the dissolution properties of KET In fact, the dissolution results from complexes with different drug: -CD molar ratios did not follow a specific pattern (Fig. 3). However, the inclusion complex at a molar ratio of 1: 5 showed the greatest dissolution improvement. About 95.5% of drug was released after 2 h from the 1: 5 inclusion complex (DE% = 71.1 1.9) compared with 75.2% (DE% = 12.1) and 15.2% (DE% = 5.6 1.7) from the 1: 5 physical mixture and KET alone, respectively. This enhancement can be attributed to the formation of an inclusion complex of the drug with -CD and/or the conversion of the drug to an amorphous state or nearly amorphous state [42]. It is clear that drug dissolution from the complexes was faster than that from the physical mixtures. About 17.1%, 8.2% and 66.3% of drug dissolved after 30 min from 1: 1, 1: 2.5 and 1: 5 complexes, respectively, compared with 0% of drug dissolved from the corresponding physical mixtures. The Improved KET solubility obtained with physical mixtures compared with KET alone (Table 2) can be attributed to the local solubilization action of CD, 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 Time (min) KET released (%) KET 1: 1 PM 1: 2.5 PM 1: 5 PM 1: 1 IC 1: 2.5 IC 1: 5 IC 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 Time (min) KET released (%) KET 1: 1 PM 1: 5 PM 1: 10 PM 1: 1 SD 1: 5 SD 1: 10 SD 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 Time (min) KET released (%) KET PVP k-17 PVP k-25 PVP k-30 Fig. 4. Dissolution profiles of KET from its different systems with PVP k-17 in distilled water at 37C. Fig. 5. Effect of PVP molecular weight on the dissolution behavior of KET. Fig. 3. Dissolution profiles of KET from its different systems with -CD in distilled water at 37C. Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 operating in the microenvironment on the hydrodynamic layer surrounding the drug particles, which improves KET wettability and/or solubility. Also, the in situ formation of a readily soluble complex in the dissolution medium additionally contributed to the drug release from the prepared physical mixtures [19]. 3.4.2. Influence of solid dispersion formation on the dissolution properties of KET It is clear from Fig. 4 that solid dispersions of KET with PVP k-17 showed improved dissolution when compared with physical mixtures and pure drug. The dissolution profile of the solid dispersion (1: 1 weight ratio) showed that 100% of the drug was released in 120 min (DE% = 50.8 3.4) while the corresponding values for the 1: 1 physical mixture and pure drug were 27.3% and 15.2%, respectively. Formulation of a solid dispersion further improves the dissolution in comparison with the physical mixture by reducing the drug particle size, formation of drug-carrier solid solutions, and transformation of the drug into a faster dissolving amorphous state and by a more intimate contact between the carrier and the drug [29]. In studying the effect of the PVP molecular weight on the dissolution properties of KET, it was observed that better results were obtained with the lower molecular weight PVP k-17 than the higher molecular weight PVP k-25 or PVP k-30 (Table 3). This could be due to lower stability constant of PVPk-17 dispersion and subsequent rapid drug release. Moreover, the mechanism of dissolution of the solid dispersion in PVP k-30 is predominantly diffusion-controlled due to the high viscosity of PVP k-30 [43]. These results were in agreement with those of Narang and Srivastava regarding the dissolution enhancement of clofazimine [44]. 3.5. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) The thermal behavior of ketoconazole solid products demonstrated the presence of intense solid-state interactions between KET and -CD/PVP k-17. DSC curves of the pure drug, -CD, 1: 5 molar physical mixture and 1:5 molar inclusion complex are shown in Fig. 6. The DSC curve of the drug showed a sharp endothermic peak at 149.26C (H = 90.72 J/g) corresponding to the melting point of KET. The DSC curve of -CD showed a broad endothermic peak at 90.73C (H = 287.2 J/g), which is related to the removal of adsorbed water [31]. The DSC curve of the 1: 5 molar ratio physical mixture of the drug and -CD showed two broad endothermic peaks, one broad peak System Q30 (%) Q120 (%) DE (%) KET 3.1 15.2 4.2 5.6 1.7 KET- -CD (PM): 1: 1 0 51.2 9.5 7.4 0.4 1: 2.5 0 77.6 10.4 1: 5 0 75.2 12.1 KET- -CD (IC): 1: 1 17.1 3.8 49.4 10 25.5 6.2 1: 2.5 8.2 34.2 15.6 2.5 1: 5 66.3 1.04 95.5 10.6 71.1 1.9 Table 2 Dissolution parameters ( SEM) of KET from different ketoconazole- -CD physical mixtures and inclusion complexes in distilled water. Q30: Percentage of drug dissolved after 30 min; Q120 : Percentage of drug dissolved after 120 min and DE: Dissolution efficiency. System Q30 (%) Q120 (%) DE (%) KET 3.1 15.2 4.2 5.6 1.7 KET-PVP k-17 (PM): 1: 1 0 27.3 5.2 9.2 0.4 1: 5 10.5 3.6 44.6 3.3 19.3 3.2 1: 10 34 11.5 90.7 7.6 41.7 8.1 KET-PVP k-17 (SD): 1: 1 48.5 5 100 50.8 3.4 1: 5 33.2 10.1 100 13.8 43.9 10 1: 10 31.6 10.1 100 12.3 49 4.7 KET-PVP k-25 (SD) 1: 1 0 43.8 12.4 8.5 KET-PVP k-30 (SD) 1: 1 0 35.9 4.8 7.7 1.6 Table 3 Dissolution parameters ( SEM) of KET from different ketoconazole-PVP physical mixtures and solid dispersions in distilled water. Q3: Percentage of drug dissolved after 30 min; Q120: Percentage of drug dissolved after 120 min and DE: Dissolution efficiency. Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 at 149.7C (H = 1.81 J/g ) corresponding to KET and the other broad peak at 99.4C corresponding to -CD (H = 221.77 J/g). The DSC curve of the 1: 5 molar ratio inclusion complex of the drug and -CD showed two broad endothermic peaks, one broad peak at 142.9C (H = 1.89 J/g) corresponding to KET and the other broad peak at 91.95C (H = 154.26 J/g) corresponding to -CD. It is clear that the peak temperature in the inclusion complex was slightly shifted with respect to the drug alone. In addition, there was a reduction in ketoconazole H values in both the inclusion complex and physical mixture compared with the pure drug. However, the reduction in the -cyclodextrin H value in the inclusion complex compared with pure -CD was greater than that in the physical mixture. From these results one can conclude that there is complete complexation in the inclusion complex rather than partial complexation in the physical mixture. The DSC curves of the pure drug, PVP k-17, 1: 1 weight ratio physical mixture and 1:1 weight ratio solid dispersion are shown in Fig. 7. The DSC curve of PVP k-17 showed a large endotherm over the temperature range 50 to 100C (H = 164.57 J/g) associated with water loss [45]. The DSC curve of the 1: 1 weight ratio physical mixture of the drug and PVP k-17 showed two broad endothermic peaks, one broad peak at 149.5C (H = 46.46 J/g ) corresponding to KET and the other broad peak at 49.79C corresponding to PVP k-17 (H = 104.44 J/g). The DSC curve of the 1: 1 weight ratio solid dispersion of the drug and PVP k-17 showed two broad peaks, one endothermic broad peak at 140.3C (H = 6.11 J/g) corresponding to KET and one exothermic broad peak at 64.22C (H = 16.36 J/g) corresponding to PVP k-17. The peak temperatures in the physical mixture and solid dispersion were slightly shifted with respect to the drug alone. The reduction in the solid dispersion H value compared with the pure drug and physical mixture showed drug amorphization. 3.6. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) The XRPD patterns of KET, -CD, 1: 5 molar physical mixture and 1: 5 molar inclusion complex are shown in Fig. 8. The presence of many different peaks in the XRPD pattern indicated that the drug was in crystalline form and the peaks of XRPD at 17.4, 19.3, 19.9 and 23.7 were selected as characteristic peaks in the mixture. The XRPD pattern of -CD showed lower crystallinity. The diffraction patterns of the physical mixture showed superposition of the spectra of each component with marked reduction in intensity compared with the pure drug. In contrast, the diffraction patterns of the inclusion complex were diffuse and the disappearance of important ketoconazole crystalline peaks indicated the entirely amorphous nature of the drug in the complex. The XRPD patterns of KET, PVP k-17; 1: 1 weight ratio physical mixture and 1:1 weight ratio solid dispersion are shown in Fig. 9. The amorphizing power of PVP toward the drug was clear in the solid dispersion system, since no crystalline KET was detected. However, the simple blending with PVP caused a partial decrease in KET crystallinity, probably as a consequence of a loosening of crystal forces of KET finely dispersed within the amorphous PVP [46]. Evidently, some characteristic peaks, indicative of the presence of residual KET were detectable in the physical mixture. 3.7. Influence of cyclodextrin complex and solid dispersion on in-vitro drug release from different topical bases The in vitro release profiles of KET from different topical bases containing KET alone, IC with -CD (1: 5, molar ratio) or SD with PVP k-17 (1: 1, w/w) compared with its release from commercial ketoconazole cream, are represented in Fig. 10. It was observed that the in vitro release of the drug was low from oleaginous and cream bases, while it was higher from the hydrogel base (HPMC). In creams, owing to their biphasic nature, partitioning of the drug occurs in two phases, resulting in slower release of drug, while in the case of gel base, the drug diffusion occurs through the aqueous phase and hence it offers a greater drug diffusion and release [47]. Moreover, the incorporation of the drug as IC with -CD further increased the release from the hydrogel base (40%) compared to only (29%) from the commercially available cream. This may be ascribed to enhancing drug solubility by cyclodextrin complexation Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 Endotherm 50 100 150 Temperature (C) KET (H = 90.72 J/g) -CD (H = 287.2 J/g ) 1: 5 PM (HKET = 1.81 J/g ) (H-CD = 221.77 J/g) 1: 5 IC (HKET = 1.89 J/g ) (H-CD = 154.26 J/g) Fig. 6: DSC curves of KET and binary systems with -CD. Fig. 6. DSC curves of KET and binary systems with -CD. KET Endotherm PVP k-17 1: 1 PM 1: 1 SD (H = 90.72 J/g) (H = 164.57 J/g) (HKET = 46.46 J/g) (HKET = 6.11 J/g) (HPVP = 104.44 J/g) 50 100 (HPVP = 16.36 J/g) 150 Temperature (C) Fig. 7: DSC curves of KET and binary systems with PVP k-17. Fig. 7. DSC curves of KET and binary systems with PVP k-17. Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 1 0 10 20 30 40 Intensity KET -CD 1: 5 PM 1: 5 IC 2 ( ) Fig. 8: X-ray diffraction patterns of KET and binary systems with -CD. 2 ( ) 10 20 30 40 KET PVP k-17 1: 1 PM 1: 1 SD Intensity Fig. 9: X-ray diffraction patterns of KET and binary systems with PVP k-17. Fig. 8. X-ray diffraction patterns of KET and binary systems with -CD. Fig. 9. X-ray diffraction patterns of KET and binary systems with PVP k-17. 0 10 20 30 40 KET released (%) Cream KET alone 1: 1 PVP 1: 5 -CD (D) (A) 0 10 20 30 40 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (h) KET released (%) Oleaginous HPMC gel O/W cream W/O cream (B) 0 10 20 30 40 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (h) KET released (%) Oleaginous HPMC gel O/W cream W/O cream (C) 0 10 20 30 40 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (h) KET released (%) Oleaginous HPMC gel O/W cream W/O cream Fig. 10. Release profiles of KET alone (A) or KET solid products (B) and (C) from different topical bases across cellophane membrane in comparison with commercial ketoconazole cream (D) in srensen's citrate buffer pH 4.5 at 37C. 0 10 20 30 40 KET released (%) Cream KET alone 1: 1 PVP 1: 5 -CD (D) (A) 0 10 20 30 40 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (h) KET released (%) Oleaginous HPMC gel O/W cream W/O cream (B) 0 10 20 30 40 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (h) KET released (%) Oleaginous HPMC gel O/W cream W/O cream (C) 0 10 20 30 40 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (h) KET released (%) Oleaginous HPMC gel O/W cream W/O cream Ketoconazole solid dispersions and inclusion complexes/Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010, 5 (1): 1-12 11 and increasing the overall amount of drug released from the gel base. Jugi et al., had previously mentioned that cyclodextrins solubilize lipophilic drugs in the aqueous vehicle and deliver the drug molecules to the barrier surface where complex dissociation and drug permeation across semipermeable membrane occurred [19]. 3.8. Influence of cyclodextrin complex and solid dispersion formation on the anti-candidal activity of KET The inhibiting capability of KET on the growth of Candida albicans is shown in Table 4. It was observed that KET was more readily released from HPMC gel base containing cyclodextrin complex than from the same vehicle with PVP solid dispersion or KET alone. Moreover, KET complexed with cyclodextrin exhibited significant antifungal activity (larger zone of inhibition indicating prolonged antifungal activity) compared to the marketed formulation. The activity ranking agrees with both the solubility and drug release ranking observed for these formulations. Similar results were obtained by Van Doorne et al. [48] and Perdomo-Lpez et al. 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